# Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations

> American atmospheric research organization

**Wikidata**: [Q2996591](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2996591)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooperative_Institute_for_Severe_and_High-Impact_Weather_Research_and_Operations)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cooperative-institute-for-severe-and-high-impact-weather-research-and-operations

## Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO) is an American atmospheric research organization located at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. Established in 1978, it operates as a research institute focused on the field of meteorology. The organization employs approximately 215 people and is also known by the aliases CIMMS (Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies) and CIWRO.

## Key Facts
- **Formal Name:** Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations.
- **Also Known As:** CIWRO, CIMMS, and Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies.
- **Inception:** Founded in 1978.
- **Location:** 120 boulevard David L. Boren, suite 2100, Norman, Oklahoma, 73072, United States.
- **Affiliation:** Located at the University of Oklahoma (public research university in Norman, Oklahoma).
- **Coordinates:** 35.18138889, -97.44.
- **Employees:** 215 (as of 2023).
- **Field of Work:** Meteorology.
- **Website:** https://ciwro.ou.edu/.
- **Identifiers:** ROR ID: 04j91ny53; GRID ID: grid.511081.c; ISNI: 0000000090726155.

## FAQs
### Q: Where is the Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations located?
A: The institute is headquartered in Norman, Oklahoma, specifically at 120 boulevard David L. Boren, suite 2100. It operates within the University of Oklahoma.

### Q: What is the difference between CIWRO and CIMMS?
A: CIWRO and CIMMS refer to the same organization. "Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies" (CIMMS) is listed as an alias for the entity, which currently uses the short name CIWRO.

### Q: When was the institute founded?
A: The organization was established in 1978.

### Q: How many people work at the institute?
A: As of 2023, the institute employs 215 people.

## Why It Matters
The Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations serves as a critical hub for atmospheric science within the United States. By situating itself at the University of Oklahoma—a major public research university—it bridges academic research with practical meteorological applications. The institute focuses specifically on severe and high-impact weather, a vital area of study for public safety, disaster preparedness, and environmental understanding in regions prone to extreme weather events.

With a history dating back to 1978, the institute has maintained a long-standing presence in the meteorological community. Its designation as a "Cooperative Institute" implies a formal partnership (typically with government agencies like NOAA, though specific partners are not listed in the provided text) to enhance research capabilities. The employment of over 200 researchers and staff indicates a significant operational scale, contributing substantially to the scientific workforce in Oklahoma and the broader field of meteorology.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Focus:** Dedicated specifically to severe and high-impact weather research and operations.
- **Strategic Location:** Headquartered in Norman, Oklahoma, a region known for significant meteorological activity (e.g., tornado alley) and a hub for weather research.
- **Academic Integration:** Functions as a research institute within the University of Oklahoma, leveraging academic resources for research purposes.
- **Historical Presence:** Established in the late 1970s, indicating decades of continuous operation in atmospheric science.
- **Multilingual Documentation:** Maintains Wikipedia entries in English, French, and Portuguese, reflecting international recognition.

## Body
### Identity and Classification
The Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations is classified as a research institute and an American atmospheric research organization. Its primary field of work is meteorology. The organization is identified by several acronyms and names, including the short name **CIWRO** and the alias **CIMMS** (Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies).

### Location and Facilities
The institute is physically located at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma.
*   **Headquarters:** Norman, Oklahoma, United States.
*   **Street Address:** 120 boulevard David L. Boren, suite 2100, Norman, OK 73072.
*   **Geographic Coordinates:** Latitude 35.18138889, Longitude -97.44.

### Operational Statistics
The institute has maintained operations since its inception in 1978. As of the 2023 data point, the organization employs a workforce of 215 individuals. It maintains an online presence at `https://ciwro.ou.edu/`.

### Academic and Institutional Identifiers
The entity is tracked across various academic and library systems:
*   **ROR ID:** 04j91ny53
*   **GRID ID:** grid.511081.c
*   **ISNI:** 0000000090726155
*   **VIAF ID:** 132603736
*   **Ringgold ID:** 188972
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n86000287

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](https://ciwro.ou.edu/)
3. [Source](https://ciwro.ou.edu/contact)
4. GRID Release 2021-06-15
5. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
6. HAL
7. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)